After
the Seahawks-Packers Monday Night Fiasco the referees/umpires are under
constant media scrutiny. Tonight’s Braves-Cardinals one-game playoff game was
probably not the night for an umpire to call a questionable rule especially in
this situation. It was in the 8th; the Cardinals are up
6-3 when the Braves Simmons knocks a pop-up in to Left Field with two players
on and one out.
Left
Field Umpire Sam Holbrook gestures an Infield Fly Rule just as the ball is
falling to the ground automatically marking Simmons as out and in this case
holding the Braves runners. So what should have been bases-loaded with one out
it became two outs and deflated the sails of the Braves.
Understand
that even if this Infield Fly Rule was not called that there is no proof that
the Braves would have come back and won the game but you are left wondering.
The
Infield Fly Rule is designed to protect players, unfortunately there is no set
specific standard that defines how the rule is to be used and is left to the
discretion of an umpire.
It
truly is disappointing seeing Chipper Jones end his 19-year career on a game
that ended in controversy, but he seems to be taking it graciously.
So
just like in the Seahawks-Packers game, no matter how much evidence there is to
the fact the ruling will not be changed and the game overturned. Once again a
single referee/umpire makes a decision that ultimately affects the outcome of a
game.
